Animal trap



Nov. 18, 1930. B. w. BOOTH 1,782,253

ANIMAL TRAP Filed Aug. 21. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I III 1/1/1111 I I111 111/ Nov. 18, 1930. B. w. BOOTH 1,782,253

ANIMAL TRAP Filed Aug. 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2" 3% ax m a Patented Nov. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES BENJAMIN w. noo'rrr, on KETCHIKAN, ALASKA ATENT OF CE ANIMAL TRAP Application filed August 21, 1929. I Serial No. 387350;

clamp the foot or leg of the animal and also to prevent suffering of the animal occasioned by traps now generally in use. The invention has for its object the 'provi- V sion of a trap, of the type stated, that because of the reduction of the number of working parts can be manufactured more reasonp x portion of the side wall 16 and the outer end ably than the patented trap referred to, and

that is equally eflicient in operation.

The invention will be described in detail hereinafter and will be found illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which position,

Figure 2 is a sectional detail on a plane plunger;

indicated by the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on 5 a plane indicated by the line 33 of Figs ure 1,

ing the trap sprung and the trap setting de vice applied thereto for resetting it,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side view of the trap in the position shown in Figure .1, partly broken away and in section,

Figure 6 1s a sectlonal View on an enlarged scale on a plane indicated by the line 66 of Figure 5, and 1 Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view on; a plane indicated by the line 77 of Figure 4:. In the drawings similar reference charaeters are used to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The improved trap comprises a body or frame member 1 that is preferably formed of a strip of metal bent into rectangular form and having spaced parallel side walls 2, an end wall 3, and the ends of the strip bent inwardly as shown at 4 and upwardly extended spaced extremities 5. 6 indicates the jaws of the trap that are preferably made of bars circular in cross section and outwardly bowed Figure 1 is a front view of the trap in set as shown at 7, and said jaws have flat portions 8 thatare pivotally' secured between the spaced extremities 5 as shown at 9. 1O indicates 'a plungerfor'med of a strip of metal bent into rectangular form and having its overlapped extremities 11 slidably mounted between the spaced sides 2 of the bodyf l'and secured to a rod 12 slidably mountedin an opening 13 in the endlwall3, '14 indicating an expansible' coil spring enclosing the rod 12 and-terminally engaging the plunger 10' and the end wall 3. The plunger 10 encloses the extremities 5 and the inturned portions :4; the body land the pivoted ends of the jaws 6, and is provided with a slot 15 in the outer the jaws 6 willbe drawn within the plunger frame 10 and be held in closed or clamping positionby means offthe sidewalls 16 of'said The trap is set'by compressing the spring 1 1 so as to withdraw the end 11 of the plunger 7 10 toward the end 3 of the body portion l'so Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showthat the parts are in the position shown in Figures land 2, and is held in set positionby of the jaWsB and having its other end engaging in; arecess 20in the extremity of the other j aw6. VVhenso set the trap is adaptedtorbe suspended by m'eans of a chain or other flexible member 21 from any suitable support such for instance' as a limb of a tree or a convenient bush over the trail followed by the animal to. be trapped, it bein'gpurposely arranged that the jaws will be substantially concealed by a'low growth such for instance as bushes at the sides of the trail, the lower ends of the jaws being so arranged that they are about four inches from the ground. The trigger member 18. is very sensitive so that the least engagement therewith or with:

either of the jaws 6 will trip the trigger and the action of the spring 14 will withdraw the pivoted endsof the jaws 6 within the plunger 10 thus clamping and adequately holding the animal between the jaws and preventing him from releasing himself and at the same time the animal is not subjected to suffering.

The invention also contemplates the provision for resetting the trap comprising a bar 21 having a flange 22 at one of its ends adapted to engage the end wall 17 of the plunger 10, and another flange 28 at its other end having a threaded opening 24 therein in which is mounted a screw'25 adapted to en-- W gage the end wall 3 of the body 1 and by turning the screw 25 the plunger will be moved towards the end wall 3 of the body 1 and the spring 14 compressed, the parts finally moving into position shown in Figures 1 and 15 2 when the jaws 6 may be set in open position by the trigger member 18 after which the trap setter is removed by unscrewing the member 25. The end wall 3 is provided with a recess 26 to receive the forward end of the 20 screw to hold the trap setting device from slip ing while in operation.

hat is claimed is 1. In a trap, a body member having its 7 opposite sides open, jaws pivotally secured to 25 said body member, a plunger slidably mounted in said body member, said plunger having I portions extending through the openings in the body member and provided with slotted openings engaging said jaws, spring means normally urging said plunger to close said jaws, and means pivotally engaging one of said jaws and releasably engageable with the other jaw to hold the jaws distended.

2. In a trap, a'body member consisting of a strip of material bent intermediate of its ends to an open rectangular shape, the terminals of said strip being spaced, jaws pivoted between said terminals, a plunger consisting of a strip of material bent intermedim ate of its ends to an open rectangular shape, having overlapping ends located in the rectangular body member and slots receiving said jaws, a rod secured to said overlapping ends, said rectan ular body member having an opening slidably receiving said rod, an

expansible coil spring mounted on: said rod and terminally engaging thev body member and plunger to normally move the plunger relatively to the body member to close the l jaws, and a trigger pivotally engaging an end of one of said jaws and in engagement with the other jaw to hold the jaws distended and I the spring under, compression.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

V BENJAMIN W. BOOTH. 

